Purim Spiel + Devising Retreat 5785/2025

*SCHTICK*DRAG*MUSICAL*RADICAL*THEATRICAL*EXTRAVAGANZA*

In a world of topsy-turviness and division, how do we connect, heal and move towards collective liberation?

PROJECT SUMMARY 

In a world of topsy-turviness and division, how do we connect, heal and move towards collective liberation? If you look closely, you’ll see the story of Purim winking at you as if to say, “you might find some answers here.” Purim surfaces the taboo, buffoonery, and catharsis of our tradition on a single night when we see the world as if it is turned upside down. We surface what is otherwise subverted, we lay bare the psyche, and we celebrate our folly. 

Well of Wills Artist Collective is designing an experimental Purim Spiel for our times through a weekend-long devising  (aka theatrical co-creation) retreat that invites participants to transmute their grievances, righteous rage, political critiques, and future hopes and prayers through storytelling, silliness, and performance. The performance will take place on Shushan Purim (Friday, March 14th, 2025) in Berkeley, CA at Chochmat Halev.

The weekend before Purim, participating performers will attend a 2.5-day theater devising retreat in the East Bay in which we will examine the story through a lens of liberation and possibility and channel all the joy, levity, play, and connectivity we can muster! In this weekend-long devising retreat, participants will respond to writing prompts. Their reflections will be used to shape an original, collaboratively written, theatrical reinterpretation of the Purim story performed by these participants on Shushan Purim. This interdisciplinary piece will include a range of performance styles which may include (but is not limited to!) drag, burlesque, autobiographical performance, musical parodies,  audio documentary, and more…all held within a playfully subversive ritual container. 

ABOUT THE PROJECT

What is devised theater? 

Devised Theater is a creative process in which the performers collectively write a play. The performers might share the writing and directing equally or a director may lead a collective research and development process and then write, structure and/or direct the final piece. In this version, the performers will contribute by generating content based on their lived experience and by learning songs, text and/or choreography selected by the Lead Artists. The Lead Artists will be responsible for the thematic direction and structure of the piece. 

What is this kookiness and why are we doing this?

To quote the great adrienne marie brown: “Unlearn your disbelief, hold your cynicism loosely, and listen for the zing up your spine that lets you know you are fully alive, in a magical world, in the only moment that exists.”

Performance and Ritual are technologies for transformation, empowerment, and transmutation. When we come together to create, to speak our truth, and to be witnessed in community, it changes us and our world. We see this creative process - the bravery, boldness, and irreverence it calls for -  as a kind of portal for community catharsis and connection. And isn’t that just what we need in 2025?! 

We conducted a similar experiment in 2019 with Lab/Shul in New York City and found that the quick creative process and immediate performance provided a challenge that got us out of our heads into our courage. Our writing prompts on labor and liberation provoked moving performances from the participants, and the simple act of being witnesses, on a professional stage in New York City has life-changing effects on the performers. We can’t wait to do it again.

What is a Purim Spiel?

A Purim spiel is a performance presented during the Jewish holiday of Purim, often retelling the story of the Book of Esther with comedic twists, satire, and songs. This festival performance tradition originated in medieval Europe allowing communities to adapt the ancient story into a contemporary context.

What is Chochmat’s Halev’s involvement? 

Chochmat Halev is supporting the project as the venue for our retreat and performance, and Rabbi Zvika has supported the research for this project. The Lead Artists maintain full creative control of the project. Find out more about Chochmat Halev here. 

ABOUT THE PROCESS

What will the creative process look like?

It will be playful, joyful, silly and ridiculous! The Lead Artists will provide thematic materials, creative prompts, some pre-written scenes and material, and a performance structure. We will assign the cast “parts” that will be based on what the performers are excited to contribute, the content we prepare in advance (like songs + choreography), and collaborative writing that happens at our Devising Retreat. Each person will only be assigned what they are capable of learning and performing within the 5 days leading up to the performance. We envision the final piece to contain a mix of written/rehearsed content within a narrative structure that builds in opportunities for audience participation and surprise!

What are the goals for the retreat?

• To relish in the joys of creation, collaboration, and community revelry!

• To create a radical ritual performance.

• To feature the unique talents of each performer.

• To revise the Purim story for this exact moment in time.

• To engage the technology of storytelling and ritual for collective transformation. 

What are the expectations and time commitments for retreat and performance participation?

Because our time together is limited, we expect people to be available for the entirety of the devising retreat and will strongly consider availability in the casting process. On a case by case basis, the Lead Artists will accommodate participants who are unavailable for the entirety of the retreat. 

ABOUT THE PARTICIPANTS (AKA PERFORMANCE COLLABORATORS) 

We’re looking for collaborators who...

• Have an appreciation for absurdity, play, humor as a form of sociopolitical commentary

• Are enthusiastic about this kind of experimental collaborative process

• See the transformative potential of this work for yourself and your community

• Are able to share space with folks who may hold contrasting perspectives. 

We are committed to a diverse representation of age, race, ability and gender identity in the casting. 

Do I need to be Jewish or know about Purim?

Nope! you do not need to be Jewish. Anyone with interest and curiosity in Judaism and Purim is welcome.

Do I need to have a performance background?

Nope! All levels of experience are welcome and encouraged to submit. The ensemble cast will include a spectrum of folks, from no prior background, to professional performers.

Will I receive compensation?

All participants will receive a modest stipend. (As in, don’t expect it to pay your next month’s rent, but do expect it to pay for dinner or two at a fancy restaurant.) 

Will I receive a costume?

TBD! The production will provide costumes or compensate for the costs of costume purchases. 

ABOUT THE RETREAT

What is the full schedule and important dates?

Tuesday, February 4th: Casting Submission Deadline

Tuesday, February 11th: Cast Announced

Wednesday, February 19th, 6:30pm-7:30pm - Virtual Orientation Call - Full Team and Cast Introductions 

February 19th - March 7th - Optional creative prep work

Tentative Retreat Schedule
Final retreat will be sent out one week before retreat. For now please hold these times:

March 7th - March 9th DEVISING RETREAT IN THE EAST BAY*

Friday Night, March 7th - Shabbat Dinner, Guided Conversation and Concept Overview

Saturday, March 8th - 10am-6:30pm - Creative assignments will be given for generating and learning material. Lunch, snacks, and tea provided 

Sunday, March 9th - 10am - 6:30pm - Finish, Rehearse & Polish Scenes, and put the piece together. Lunch, snacks, and tea provided 

March 12th, 6:30pm - 9:30pm - REHEARSAL

March 14th, 4:00pm - 6:30pm - DRESS REHEARSAL // 8:00pm PERFORMANCE (dinner provided)

Do I have to pay for the retreat? 

Nope! This retreat is fully funded by Mem Global. Meals and snacks will be provided.

Where is it? 

The retreat will take place at several locations in the East Bay (Friday night in Oakland, Saturday and Sunday in Berkeley at Chochmat HaLev). 

*This is a commuter retreat located in the East Bay. We will not be able to provide housing or transportation.

Is space limited on the retreat?

Yes. We have 18 spots available for retreat participants. We hope to find ways to include others who are interested in being a part of the performance even if they are not involved in the retreat. 

ABOUT THE ORGANIZERS

Nessa Norich, Co-Director, Producer

Nessa Norich is an interdisciplinary artist, director, writer, and producer of independent theater and film. She trained at the Lecoq school for physical theater in Paris and has created over a dozen original works performed at venues such as the Institute for Contemporary Art, Battersea Arts Center, the British Film Institute, and Joe’s Pub in New York. Her work has received critical acclaim, including recognition in the Huffington Post and the NY Times, and a 2016 NY Innovative Theater Award. Nessa’s recent project, Jelly Bean, a short comedic film she wrote, directed, produced, and starred in, received a grant from NYFA’s Women in Film and has been showcased at multiple prestigious festivals, including NewFest and the Rhode Island Film Festival, where she won Best Actress. Nessa applies over 20 years of theatrical experience as a Somatic Coach and facilitator. Passionate about creative expression, she is dedicated to helping individuals find pathways for self-expression and personal growth through art. She has also taught Devised Theater, Free Movement, and Writing to students of all ages. Nessa is a founding member of Well of Wills collective. 

Hannah Roodman, Co-Director, Producer

Hannah Roodman is a filmmaker and artist with an MFA in Transdisciplinary Design from The New School. Her work promotes empathy and challenges taboos, often using new media strategies for social transformation. She has taught Media Advocacy, Social Practice Art, and Creative Team Dynamics as an adjunct professor.Hannah is producing NEW HERE, an independent feature film directed by Sundance award-winner Dan Sickles, exploring the story of artists shaping today’s most polarizing technologies: crypto and AI (coming early 2025) and co-producing HEAVEN THROUGH THE BACKDOOR, directed by Anna Fitch (coming spring 2025). Previously, she self-released two short documentaries on race and religion in Brooklyn, "PROJECT 2x1" (2014) and "40 DAYS OF TESHUVAH" (2021). Over the past decade, she has produced campaigns for Malala Fund, UNICEF, Alicia Keys, Squarespace, and more. She holds an MFA in Transdisciplinary Design from Parsons.  Hannah's film work has gained recognition in Rolling Stone Magazine, Fast Company, and at the TED conference. Hannah is a founding member of Well of Wills collective. 

Meirav Ong, Art Director

Meirav Ong is an Ashkenazi-American transdisciplinary artist who draws from her Jewish heritage as a framework to conceive of an embodied prayer practice that exists as an alternative to Judaism’s patriarchal structures. Her practice explores embodied prayer in relation to grief, Jewish mourning rituals, and Genetic Memory through textiles, clay, sound, performance and social practice. Meirav holds an MFA in Fiber from Cranbrook Academy of Art and a BFA from University of Michigan. She has exhibited at The Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco, CA, The Everson Museum in Syracuse, NY, The Cranbrook Art Museum in Bloomfield Hills, MI, among others. Her work with community organizations includes The Zekelman Holocaust Center, Lab/Shul, and JFREJ among others. She’s the recipient of grants to the Vermont Studio Center, Penland School of Craft, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Chautauqua School of Art among others. Her work has been published by AJS Perspectives, Ayin Press and No Tokens Journal among others. Meirav is a founding member of Well of Wills collective. 

Kiki Lipsett, Co-Director, Producer

Kiki is a musician, singer, performer, educator, and Jewish ritual/service leader. She is a professionally trained vocalist, pianist, and guitar player and has a background in musical theater performance. Over the past decade, she has been involved in musical projects for community-building and healing. Her work has included creating a music and performance program for unhoused youth in San Francisco, leading Shabbat services in San Quentin prison, playing music in hospitals and on grief retreats, and playing piano accompaniment in an Arab-Jewish girls’ choir. ​​Kiki is known in the Bay Area for writing, directing, producing, and performing in "The Shushan Queens: A Purim Musical!," a politically satirical, feminist, musical comedy all in rhyme, which she and her cast put on annually for 7 years. While living in Israel/Palestine, she created and performed an original one-woman show called "The Land is Shaking," exploring the relationship between land and identity. 

Meli Sobin, Associate Producer  

Meli is an artist, children’s book illustrator, creative facilitator, and therapist-in-training. Meli is currently pursuing her MA in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Depth Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute, and she holds a Certificate in Fine Arts from the Marchutz School of Painting & Drawing. Meli facilitates creativity workshops at festivals, public schools, private events and corporate settings to help people overcome their inner critic and connect with their authentic creativity, contacting joy and wonder in the process. Passionate about helping young people flourish, Meli works as a high school therapist trainee and guides wilderness “soul” quests for Wilderness Torah. Prior to this, Meli worked for nearly a decade in User Experience Research at companies including Etsy Inc. to help solve impact problems and design holistic experiences.